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We’re calling it now: This is going to be a breakout season for swimwear. After a downtrodden year for fashion, designers and brands have emerged with a vibrant, refreshed perspective on everything from classic swimwear pieces to boundary-pushing silhouettes. Thankfully for us, they’re embracing the radiance of the season at a time when we’re all ready to peel away the layers of the past year—and if we can do so from a postcard-perfect island getaway, all the better.
We rounded up 15 unique swimsuit brands that have left us inspired and ready to hit the waters—preferably with a cool, adult beverage in hand. From upscale and sustainable fabrics (made from recycled plastic bottles and fishnets, nonetheless) to inclusive branding and messaging, they're a far cry from the same string bikinis you see on every beach. So pack some sunscreen and a towel, and enjoy the warmest days of the year wearing one of these need-to-know-now swimsuit brands. (Looking for more modest swimwear options? We've got those, too.)
This article has been updated with new information since its original publish date.
Who doesn’t love a good mini-me dress-up moment? (We’re asking you, Beyoncé and Blue Ivy.) While most mommy-and-me fashion is pegged for mothers and daughters, Lex Swimwear is a rare brand made for moms and their sons, who can coordinate in chic, modern silhouettes like the Pierre Short—a cross between a bike short and bikini bottom—and the Laura Top, created by founder Madelyn Mejia. A newcomer to the swimwear scene, Lex’s luxurious eco-friendly pieces are produced in Italy and feature solid colors and delicate patterns that will make you and your brood stand out in any crowd.
If you’re anything like us, you’re a firm believer that swimwear isn’t solely reserved for the water, especially on vacation. With high-quality details and trendy designs in mind, Florida-based Montce will keep you stylish both in the ocean and the moment you step back on the beach. Think cool animal-print crop tops that match hourglass-flattering bottoms, kaleidoscopic-striped one pieces, gingham cropped peasant tops, and bohemian-inspired crochet suits that look just as good paired with cutoff jeans as they do submerged in water.
Leave it to a former Sports Illustrated swimsuit model to create a super flattering swimwear line. Based out of Los Angeles, Tori Praver created her eponymous brand to celebrate femininity, beauty, and confidence. Take the Emmy top, for example. The sleeveless tank top-style suit is cropped for a modern fit and has an added wrap detail that could easily double as a blouse for out of the water (which means one less top to pack, too).
Recently adding swimwear to its already popular line of apparel basics, Everlane presents seven timeless pieces that are designed for ultimate mix-and-match pleasure. Necklines include the Square-Neck Bikini Top and Tie-Front Bikini Top that easily complement any of its bottoms, such as the High-Rise Hipster and traditionally cut Bikini Bottom. While Everlane may be new to swimwear, its core tenet of ethical practices is unwavering, creating pieces that are made of 82 percent regenerated nylon derived from recycled plastic.
Sustainability is an applause-worthy buzzword in the fashion industry these days, and Londre delivers on its commitment to be as low-impact as possible on the environment. The women-run brand features ethically-made swimwear created out of recycled plastic bottles found on the streets and beaches of Taiwan (100,000 bottles and counting). And that’s not all: Londre incorporates a sustainable ChitoSanté fiber, made of crushed shells and known for its anti-bacterial and odor-resistant qualities, into pieces like The 1813 Puff Shoulder Top (a chic top that can be work forward and backward for major versatility), The Banded Scrunch Bottom with a flattering high waist, and The Ruffle Shoulder One Piece with a slim attached belt.
A brand known for embracing and promoting inclusivity, Girlfriend Collective’s launch into swimwear doesn’t falter from that core principle, creating styles in sizes from XXS to 6XL. GF Swim presents eight versatile swim pieces with sherbet-esque hues, ranging from the one-shouldered Caspian Bikini Top and classic scoop-neck Hermosa Bikini Top to the Clemente One Piece with thin, adjustable crisscross ties in the back (say goodbye to noticeable tan lines). And, in classic Girlfriend Collective fashion, every GF Swim purchase generates a one percent donation to Healthy Seas, an initiative focused on cleaning the world’s oceans.
The super-luxe Italian brand—which features two-pieces and maillots like this sleek one-shoulder swimsuit with a spaghetti strap top, and the Deep V swimsuit with its plunging neckline and daring open back—has quickly made fans out of celebrities like Dua Lipa and Rihanna. (The maillots are fashionable and well-crafted enough to double-up as a bodysuit in the evening.) And while we love the adult styles, it’s the sparkly, frilly pint-sized versions of these looks that make us really love the brand.
What happens when two Lululemon veterans join forces and combine their years of activewear expertise to take on the swimwear market? Premium swimwear options for active women that are ideal for everything from surfing, swimming, and skateboarding to happy hour and sunbathing, that’s what. It’s no wonder Left on Friday has made fans out of Jessica Alba, Maria Sharapova, and Kate Upton with pieces like its Hi Dive Top with a high halter neck, best-selling High Tide Bottom with medium rear coverage, and Double Scoop Suit with a peek-a-boo open panel in the back.
Early in its company history, iconic Australian fashion label Zimmermann began elevating swimwear to high-fashion status, culminating with several fashion awards, including the 2017 Best Australian Womenswear at the Australian Fashion Laureate Awards. Mixing sophisticated femininity with clever color choices and fashion-forward perspective, like with the bold, blood-orange Shelly Tie 1PC with its scarf-tie waist and the Poppy Ladder Tri Bikini with a ladder-like cutout, Zimmermann has created its own space in the swimwear world.
After taking a year off to retool and emphasize a deliberate entrance into the slow-fashion movement, Emily May London is back with a bang. The highly structured, bold, and well-fitted swimwear pieces—like the San Clemente Bodysuit—are inspired by sportswear looks. The cupped underwire pieces, like the San Marco Bikini Top, provide ample bust support with modern styling, so go ahead and hit the waves or spike a beach volleyball with confidence. Even more impressive is that the U.K.-based brand uses Econyl, a soft Italian fabric made from recycled ocean plastics, and donates five percent of proceeds from every order to The Whale and Dolphin Conservation.
If an 11-time world champion surfer can’t create the ultimate swim trunks, then we don’t know who can. Surf pro Kelly Slater’s clothing brand Outerknown features high-performing, effortlessly cool board shorts that are made from recycled or renewable fibers, so you can look sharp on your next beach swim while still doing good by the ocean. And while the brand hasn't created its own swimwear for women yet, Outerknown does sell a selection of suits and rashguards from surf brand Seea, like this tank-top style two-piece that will stay in place as you're splashing through the waves.
Let’s be honest: When Mara Hoffman does swimwear, she goes full throttle. With a massive collection that includes everything from the sporty to the runway-inspired to the bold, the one common denominator in every Mara Hoffman swim piece is an elevated design completed with sustainable practices. It’s nothing new to the trailblazing brand, which has been practicing mindful consumption and distribution since 2015.
Andrea Iyamah’s swimwear collection is a favorite among celebrities like Gabrielle Union, Ciara, and Issa Rae, who’ve all donned a range of looks from the brand. Founded by Nigerian-Canadian designer Dumebi Iyamah, expect to make a statement with the vibrant, figure-hugging, pieces (these embellished tops will surely turn heads) that are a celebration of African resort wear.
Designed with the plus-size beach-goer in mind, Eloquii brings a fashion-always perspective to its swimwear collection. It’s no wonder that the likes of Chrissy Metz is a fan of the brand, which carries sizes 14-28. Take the on-trend Puff-Sleeve Swimsuit, a one-piece suit with a cut-out midsection that doubles as a dinner outfit when worn with a skirt or high-waisted jeans.
While its prints and patterns reference Australian Indigenous culture, Liandra Swim goes a step further by naming each suit after an inspiring Indigenous woman, including physicians, artists, and actors. For example, its long-sleeved Emily Top—ideal for those looking for sun coverage or more modest swimwear—is named for the late Emily Kame Kngwarreye, a prominent Aboriginal contemporary artist. The eco-conscious brand also brings a top-to-bottom perspective on sustainability, mailing its swimwear using home-compostable bags in packaging made from cassava, a non-toxic, biodegradable material.
